Posted on by Christian Armetta

Love Letter in the Sky

Psalm 121:2

2 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

1 Kings 8:23

23 He said: “Lord, God of Israel, there is no god like you. There is no god like you in heaven above or on the earth below. You make agreements with your people because you love them. And you keep your agreements with those who truly follow you.

relentlessly-loves

We stand amazed at Your mighty hand…strong enough to crush the tallest mountain yet delicate enough to paint an evening sky.

~Love Letter in the Sky

The morning sun shouts your praise as the rays produce a miraculous symphony.

~Love Letter in the Sky

The smell of rain ignites choral worship as the wheat fields sway in harmony and agreement.

~Love Letter in the Sky

Your breath alone is strong enough to singe the enemy’s force and the stones cry out, “Great is the Lord!”

~Love Letter in the Sky

Thunder claps and lighting strikes in perfect rhythm announcing your great return.

~Love Letter in the Sky

The sea in glorious humility reflects the sun, moon, and stars as we gaze upon your radiance from both above and below.

~Love Letter in the Sky

Clouds stand at attention in complete solidarity for even they know who controls their movements.

~Love Letter in the Sky

Your church, Your very people grow fruit that only comes from being rooted in the vine, Jesus Christ, whom You gave as a gift from above.

~Love Letter in the Sky

Challenge: This month, take time to thank God for His masterpiece, which includes people like you. He is truly the maker of heaven and earth. For starters, this requires us to be still and know that He is God…be still! This is very hard for many of us. Breathe in His blessings and praise Him for His promises. Never get too busy to miss His love letters spoken directly to you. This could be a sunset, fellowship with friends, etc. Most importantly, do not miss the greatest love letter – His Son Jesus Christ. This love letter was sent to die for your sins…will you open and accept His letter to you?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

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Stealing Your Joy

Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

joy

This passage is very close to my heart. I have never heard these verses recited in song until a couple of years ago, and it stuck! More than that…this passage represented a time in my life where I can say I truly “experienced” God. I have been a believer for most of my life; however, growth is a process, and I’m still experiencing Him. My journey, and yours, will not come to a perfect end until you are face-to-face with your Maker. There is always something to learn, give, hear, and impart! I pray that you truly understand that you have something special to share! Yes, each and everyone of us.

This week has been marked with overt spiritual battles in those I hold dear. As I stated yesterday, we are not all that different from each other. Most of us carry around past hurts and sins that we bury deeper and deeper into our soul. We cry out, “What would people think of me if they really knew me?” Yet, at the same time we claim to be redeemed in Christ which brings complete cleansing. Do you hear the contradictory speech? Ah yes–there he is–he has been identified, and his name is Satan, the author of all lies.

Any thought, idea, action, or word that contradicts the Word of God is not from God as God is holy, pure, and truthful. He cannot lie to Himself! This is where the devil hides out my dear friends! He has managed to steal your joy and mine for entirely too long. As believers, there is power in the name of Jesus…period end of story! I am never surprised when a believer steps out in faith and then all of a sudden she is spiritual attacked! I hate to give too much credit to the enemy but this is rather clever–why? Satan knows all too well that we are weak in the flesh. He also knows that the battle is in our minds. If he can convince you that you did something wrong in standing for Christ or play with your emotions, then he has won. Victory quickly turns to victimized! 

I am here to say enough is enough Satan! You cannot have my family and friends in the powerful name of Jesus! Will you make the same claim? True deliverance through salvation ensures that Christ has washed those filthy sins away; they simply do not exist any longer in God’s eyes. So, why are you weary dear friends when opinions are wrongly imposed upon you? We have all heard before that your past does not define you. However, I would take that a step further: You cannot be defined by something that does not exist through Christ’s powerful blood.

When truth is spoken, Satan will naturally interject the opposite by using your friends and even family members as a direct point of attack, “Checkmate,” he exclaims! Oh but what he is unaware of is my God defined the rules, and He is saving His best move for last! My God is not limited by position or rules of engagement. Satan is the one who is limited! So what was God’s last move in the chess game of your life? God stands up as Satan appears to smirk saying to himself, “I won the game-this is it!” Yet, God leans in and with a powerful voice says, “Oh no fallen one, you have not won. In fact, I have been distracting you this entire time while my sweet believer is giving her testimony to many attending souls. In fact, the seed she planted will sprout personal revival that no one on earth or under the earth can extinguish”–as God turns to walk away he says, “I WON!”

Ask yourself, are you taking a stand for Christ? Have you given your testimony? Are you imparting the good news to those around you? I do hope so, and I would also expect you to say, “The battle is real.” Satan is not going to sit quietly as you take a stand. Feel confident that your spiritual team: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit will win any and all battles. Lift your hands in praise and turn the tears of sorrow to fountains of joy.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

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Overcomer

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

overcomer

God shows up in all situations, conversations, experiences, and relationships. Do you truly believe that? I do! For starters, He is omnipresent; He is truly everywhere! You cannot find a place where God cannot reach you physically, emotionally, or spiritually for He stitched you together in His image. You were created by perfect hands! You have a purpose and your gifts are unique to His mission. Can we just say–amazing God!

God is also omnipotent as there is no other force more powerful than God. His power is limitless…I implore you to pause – hit the rewind button and simply claim that one more time! His power is LIMITLESS! As you speak truth, there is strength building up inside of you because being a child of God is more than a special blessing; it’s an honor that cannot be contained. Finally, God is omniscient. There is absolutely nothing that takes Him by surprise! Now—exhale!

I was blessed to see God in three conversations today. Don’t miss the importance in that initial sentence. I strive, as imperfect as I am, to see God in all encounters. I ask myself, “What do You want me to learn from this conversation, meeting, interaction Lord?” Often I fail because I can be rather egocentric, task-oriented, and simply impatient. This flesh-oriented focus pulls me away from my mission which is simply His mission – imparting the love of Christ and sharing the good news of Jesus whenever and however I can.

However, after a very spiritually uplifting morning where my small group spent time edifying each other through Scripture and words of encouragement, I felt as though I was fully charged and ready to take on the day. What did I encounter through these very meaningful conversations? I found a common theme. We all hurt…I pause because my spirit groans. We are all currently suffering or have suffered in this life! As human beings, we are not all that different dear friends. Our hearts long for love and acceptance. We struggle with fear, anxiety, the unknown, painful addictions, battles, and loneliness. Yet, our face—yes, our face tells a different story.

We wake up each morning and sift through a drawer of masks trying to find just the right one; the mask that will hide the hurt we are carrying! We pass colleagues in the hallways and smile just praying that our masks are not unveiled. We worry, “Did they notice? Is it still on?” I couldn’t help but appreciate Necole Allen’s Facebook message when she mentioned that her face can tell her mood before she speaks. I truly can relate!! I am one who cannot wear masks well either. Yes, I try them on, but they seem to fall off rather quickly! I guess I haven’t learned how to tie them well. In fact, my face tends to “get me in trouble” well before my tongue.

Truth be told, we are all struggling, and we are all holding onto something in the past. Yet, my God is a deliverer and a healer! I emptied my “mask drawer” long ago and I beg you to do the same. Jesus is the best example of an overcomer any believer could hope for! Not only did He overcome every temptation, He overcame death in order to bring us life! YES AND AMEN! That is enough to send you rejoicing and dancing for joy. I hear chains falling, do you?

TAKE THE MASKS OFF FRIENDS! Satan has an army manufacturing them and supplying you fancy ones, but they are still chains! BREAK THE CHAINS through Christ.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

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Thoughts

Philippians 4:6-8

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


This passage has always been such a wonderful reminder when I am feeling rather “out of control!” However, I typically stop at verse 7. During my reading today, I continued, and I’m glad I did. God really spoke through this directive. 

When my structured, well-planned, and some would say obsessively organized day begins to unravel, I am usually quick to make my requests known to God because I know I am lost in this sea of uncertainty, challenge, and trial. Yet, I will be the first to admit my thoughts throughout the day tend to focus more on the negative rather than what is right, lovely, and pure. We all can say, “The struggle is REAL!” 

This is where faith meets action for me! How can I claim to not be anxious and present my requests to God when hours later complaints cloud my conscience and judgment jars my praise? Are we convicted yet? I am! 

So, I crank up the praise music and sing like no one is watching for I refuse to be tormented by the lies of the devil. Remember friends, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness! Yes, there it is! I can’t figure this out and neither can you so let go and let God!

Even more, we are to think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Dear friends, I can think of only one person who is noble, right, pure, and worthy of praise – Jesus! It is in the moment of praise that we truly experience the type of peace that guards both our hearts and minds – WOW!

Satan would like to make you believe that you have some form of control over whatever situation you are in. Yet, we are clearly limited. Releasing through faith brings fulfillment. 

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

God is Awe-Inspiring

Amos 8:9

“And on that day,” declares the Lord God, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.”

solar

 

I must admit…I am not tired of talking about the solar eclipse today, and I will tell you why. While watching The Weather Channel to see the first videos of the total solar eclipse, I couldn’t help but sense God’s presence as millions gathered to watch this celestial event.

Even more, The Weather Channel reporter began to cry as she attempted to verbalize how “touching” the experience truly felt in person. To be completely honest, this pierced my heart. It is during these times that we become simply overwhelmed with God’s awesomeness; our brains truly cannot comprehend the magnitude of His creation let alone His love for while we were still sinners He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us!

While scientists attempted to explain the statistics and physics concerning the axis, speed, size, angle, and degree of all three body masses moving in harmony to create such a speculator display, all I could truly think about was…Look at You God!

shadow

I was able to walk out of the hospital at just the right time to catch a perfect display of God’s beauty. My senses were overtaken when I visually processed hundreds of tiny eclipse shadows on the sidewalk as the light shaped the leaves in perfect mirror image of the solar eclipse. In my mind, God’s detail is far-reaching my friends.

While we are busy looking at the “obvious” in life, He is masterfully orchestrating the intricate details to support His will to perfection! In other words, how many times have we cursed God for abandoning us or being silent far too long when the whole time we were standing on hundreds of His promises without notice? This draws me back to the tiny eclipse shadows. I simply get lost in this picture. He never ceases to amaze me!

I pray that we are always seeking God’s hand in our lives. Remember, while you are looking up and seeking direction, don’t forget to humble yourself, bow your head, and maybe there…yes, there in the peace of humility, you will see His mercy and grace fluttering around your feet as He has been carrying you this entire time.

Question: Have you forgotten to look down as you seek God’s face? He is there too!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

Tempted yet Triumphant

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

freedom

In order to fully understand this passage, we must back up just a bit and read Matthew 3:16-17, “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'”

After this mountaintop revelation and spiritual experience, Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. As the reader, you almost want to look up from the Bible, tilt your head, and simply contemplate the sequencing of events between these verses…in turn, you really want to say, “Huh? What just happened here?” In one sense, there is pure joy, celebration, and affirmation. Then in the blink of an eye, there is trial, tribulation, and pain. What I truly love about this Biblical application is how familiar this sounds to our everyday lives. This just might sound like your life too. How many times have you gone from mountaintop moments to deep valley difficulties within a blink of an eye? See, you can relate! This is why God is a personable Father! He can relate to absolutely every one of life’s moments! The common denominator is that Jesus experiences VICTORY in both mountaintop moments and deep valley difficulties. We can most certainly learn from Him and we must lean on Him daily. 

First, there is victory in God the Father affirming the identity and mission of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we witness the trinity converge during Jesus’ baptism. Secondly, there is victory in trials as Jesus used the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to successfully defeat the devil despite being physically weakened from hunger. We are taught in Ephesians chapter 10 to put on the full armor of God. Most of the armor is defensive in nature: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace fitted over your feet, shield of faith, helmet of salvation. Yet, there appears to be one offensive tool: sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Why is there only one offensive measure? Because you only need one to defeat the devil! The word of God is that powerful! Yes and amen! The most amazing thing is that devil knows it too! Do not stand for his lies. He cannot control you when you are under the authority of Jesus Christ. James 4:7 clearly states, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” AMEN!

armor of god

Question: How can you learn to achieve victory in life’s mountaintop moments and deep valley difficulties?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

Hate Never Wins!

all are precious in His sight

1 John 2:9-17

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God lives in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

sadness

Sadness overwhelms our hearts as we try to understand the news coming out of Charlottesville, Virginia…such hatred, bigotry, and pure evil. My brain still cannot process the still image of human beings flying through the air after being struck by a car…the motive – hate! In an effort to draw peace to my senses, I quickly reverted to music. I was reminded of the precious song, “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Words by C. Herbert Woolston, music by George F. Root

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world.
Jesus died for all the children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus died for all the children

Of the world.
Jesus rose for all the children

All the children of the world

Red, brown, yellow

Black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus rose for all the children

Of the world.

There is such truth in this song. God loves each and every one of us so much that He sent His very own Son, Jesus Christ, to take on human form to live and ultimately die as the perfect sacrificial lamb; He came to take away the sins of the world. God does not discriminate; His grace and mercy belong to all those who call upon His name. So you see dear friends, our world does not have just a hate problem; our world has a SIN problem! We must come to the end of ourselves and accept Jesus in order to break the chains of such evil. Deliverance from hate, envy, intolerance, and pride await those who seek the mercy seat!

As we pray for this community, the injured, our nation and beyond, ask that God equips each of us to be salt and light! Pray that those with hardened hearts and evil motives, which are borne out of hate, experience a “Road to Damascus Conversion” story that only the Holy Spirit can create. I am asking God the Father to revive the hearts of each believer where His love will be made known and His fame will grow.

Ultimately, hate NEVER WINS! I choose love. I choose to be the hands of feet of Jesus. I pray that this will ignite your passion and drive to follow His lead as well. We must remember that all are precious in His sight – ALL! As you reflect upon our current culture, ask yourself, “What can I do?” Trust me…revival does not start by erecting tents and booking the best choirs. Revival starts in you!

“All are precious in His sight!”

Question: Do you believe we can ignite a “Road to Damascus” conversion story within our current culture and nation? YES I BELIEVE

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

Miracle

Luke 8:50

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

healed

I pray that you continue to lift up the Allen family and sweet Elley as she recovers from brain surgery. There is power in prayer, and I believe fully that the prayers of this community and those afar are flooding Heaven’s throne with heartfelt petitions for a true miracle. The amazing part is that God hears each and every one of them!

There is nothing more precious than watching a child demonstrate such strength and courage in the midst of a storm. In essence, I would say this is a perfect example of encountering Jesus. You see, Elley’s testimony will impact the masses. Her childlike faith will be a beacon of light that will shatter darkness and dispel doubt and fear. Her story of trial and healing will draw others to Jesus for our God does not waste a single moment to increase His Kingdom. However, you must see this through the eyes of Jesus.

Matthew 18:3 says, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” What is Jesus saying here? We must enter His presence with meekness, humility, and submissiveness. There is absolutely zero tolerance for pride and egocentrism. Sadly, as we grow older we trade maturity and wisdom for pride. I beg you to crucify the flesh daily and seek His ways with childlike faith.

Dear friends, have you truly encountered Jesus? Have you witnessed a miracle? First and foremost, the mere fact that you are taking in oxygen and your organs are functioning without your voluntary control is indeed a miracle. I pray that we never become desensitized to that. Secondly, watching the video of this precious child walk and talk following brain surgery is most certainly a miracle. I give God all the praise and honor for His watch-care. Psalm 139:1-3 says, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.” You see dear friends, we never escape His eye! He is acquainted with all our ways. Therefore, trusting in Him is the only answer.

I believe in miracles! I am praying for a continued miracle. Even more, I pray that God will turn what Satan meant for tragedy into testimony. I simply smile at the fact that Satan lost! The Allen family refused to curse God for they know He is worth of praise despite the trials. Furthermore, we could all learn from the childlike faith of Elley. Allow this testimony to take root and grow. Praise God for Elley’s faith and the outpouring of love. We give You all the honor and praise for You are worthy.

Question: Have you approached God with childlike faith?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

Glory and Priase

Revelation 7:12

They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”


Reflection is a powerful action. It requires one to engage in serious thought. I also believe that in moments of true reflection, you step into pure humility. Can we all just admit that we are not as important as we would like to think we are! 

Pride is a dangerous attribute. James 4:6 says, “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” So the question becomes…when you reflect upon your life,  do you place your focus on yourself or your Creator?

Stepping outside of yourself is not only humbling it is freeing. I pray that God equips each of you with the very best gifts to further His Kingdom. Yet, we tarnish these precious and perfect gifts by our own interference. For He alone is perfect, holy, and just. 

This passage in Revelation brings such clarity in praise. It is almost as if the descriptors which reflect God’s character could go on forever. In fact…they do. Every praise is to our God! The entire world’s vocabulary including all components of language therein from semantics to syntactic cannot begin to describe His glory and grace! He absorbs all things pure because He emulates perfection. 

As you reflect on God our Father today, I pray that you first approach the throne with humility. Then strip off all things “self”; that might be your biggest challenge but it’s required. Then you will only be able to utter praise and worship for He is worthy! Dear friends, no matter what you faced today or will face tomorrow, He is worthy of our praise!

Question: Have you stopped and reflected lately?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta · 6 Comments

Letting Go

“14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

faith

How many of us would admit to always trying to help God?—o.k., yes me too. My heart is heavy today. I find myself wanting to help the brokenhearted, but I just can’t. Well…not in a physical sense I cannot. As a natural problem solver and overly logical thinker, I find myself analyzing every possible solution to problems that only God can fully comprehend. Yet, there we go entering the Holy of Holies with tablet and pen ready to show God just how amazing our analytical outlines are—boy He should be proud, and I’m certain He must need my input….wrong!

Throughout God’s Word we hear repeatedly…be still! The Almighty does not need your assistance dear friend. Now don’t get me wrong; He might call you, but that is different than seeking your opinion because He cannot form His own! Trust me, God is not pacing back and forth, pondering life’s most difficult questions while biting His nails. In fact, He is so in control, He set the course of time before time existed…is our mind blown yet?

Our world changes in an instant. Laughter at the dinner table quickly turns to sadness when someone calls to deliver devastating news. You see your daughter’s dreams vanishing from her eyes as the nurses wheel her away for emergency surgery. The joys of motherhood turn into mourning when you no longer feel the flutters from deep within. Yes, our world does change in an instant, but our God fights for us when we remain still — IN HIM!

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We will never fully understand His ways because frankly…they are HIS WAYS and not ours. But what I do know is He is kind, He is loving, He is merciful, He is good, He is peaceful, and He is always working for our good.

If you are in the middle of a storm, I want to encourage you today. Continue to be faithful! 1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” No matter how deep your valley, God’s faithfulness will find you there. Therefore, be still my friend and let God fight your battles for you!

Prayer Request: As prayer warriors, I ask that you lift up a dear family today. Please remember the Allen family as their daughter has undergone brain surgery. We lift her up into God’s hands for complete healing and recovery. I pray in the name of Jesus that this healing will be a testimony to bring a whole community into Your presence and Kingdom. This precious child will speak Your life, Jesus, onto all those she comes into contact with. In Jesus name I pray-Amen.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta